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Ferries were a convenient way of getting across the Connecticut River and remained in use even after railroad, trolley, and foot bridges spanned the river. This ferryman is transporting passengers from Hatfield, Massachusetts, across the river to Amherst. The ferry-man moved the ferry along by hauling the boat hand-over-hand along a rope while his partner controlled the rudder. Ferries typically charged different rates for pedestrians, animals, and vehicular traffic.